Mother Nature called. She wants her paycheck.
Month after month, many women who suffer from painful periods are left with two options: use their limited number of “sick days” or force themselves into a pantsuit, apply lipstick and not double over in pain at their cubicle. Fortunately, Italy may soon be changing this narrative.
Italy’s parliament is discussing the possibility of becoming the first Western nation to offer “paid menstrual leave” to women who suffer from painful periods. If the policy is approved, companies will be required to offer its female employees 3 paid days off of each month.
If approved, the policy will join Italy’s other female-friendly labor laws. There, pregnant women are granted five months of paid maternity leave that is mandatory both for employers and employees. During this period, new mothers receive 80 percent of their salary, paid by INPS, Italy’s version of Social Security. After that, parents of both genders have the right to take an extra 6 months of parental leave, which is optional and paid at 30 percent of their salaries.
Japan began this trend in 1947 and has since inspired other Eastern nations such as South Korea, Taiwan, and Indonesia to follow suit. In 2016, a small company in the U.K. announced that “period policy,” offering their employees time off during their menstrual cycles. Sportswear company Nike is the only international company to officially offer a menstrual leave as a part of their Code of Conduct.
Unsurprisingly, the paid menstrual policy has been met with backlash. While Marie Claire has praised the proposal, saying it proves the country is all about progress, Lorenza Pleuteri voiced concerns in the women’s magazine Donna Moderna, that this kind of legislation may disincentivize firms from hiring women.
Penning a piece for Vice Italy, writer Miriam Goi stated the policy could also create the stereotype that women are more emotional at certain times in their menstrual cycle.
The issue has since become a hot topic in the United Kingdom. Radio 5 Live’s Emma Barnett discussed the topic in September during an appearance on BBC, arguing that if men had periods things would be arranged around their cycles and they would treat it like a “badge of honor.” Her comments were received with backlash as many accused her of sexism.
If Italy’s paid menstrual leave policy is put into practice, hopefully this will inspire other Western nations to implement similar programs in their states in the near future.
